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Consultation and Second Opinion ServiceThere are several reasons why someone might want to pursue a consultation. Individuals may be interested in a second opinion about their diagnosis or whether their current medication regimen could be optimized, both for greater therapeutic efficacy and to minimize the experience of side effects. Our renowned staff of psychiatrists and psychologists offers expert consultation in psychotic disorders, including a specialized first episode and early psychosis consultation service.
Our first episode consultation involves several visits with our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who specialize in the needs of individuals with early psychosis. First episode consultation involves an interview with the patient and his or her family members to try to get a complete picture of the symptoms and problems that led to psychiatric hospitalization or other life disruption. First episode and early psychosis patients are also routinely referred for neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing. As scientist-practitioners, we employ structured clinical interviews so that we can quantify the types of symptoms and their severity. These measures are important insofar as they provide an objective baseline from which progress can be measured with future changes in medication and psychosocial treatment. All of the information gained in these interviews is synthesized into a comprehensive report, which may be shared with the family and other providers.
Our wellness consultation is a specialized type of consultation which involves looking at more than just the psychiatric symptoms of the individual. Rather, it is focused on the individual’s current health status and is mindful of the role of psychiatry in enhancing medical as well as psychiatric health. This 2-hour assessment entails monitoring of various disease markers and preventative health care targets with a special emphasis on indicators of diabetes risk because of the established link between certain antipsychotic medications, obesity and elevated risk for diabetes. This comprehensive wellness consultation is used to make treatment recommendations; many individuals choose to go on to participate in our onsite weight loss, smoking education, and smoking cessation programs.
For a consultation, please contact Jennifer Cromwell at 617-912-7862
or by email at schizophrenia@partners.org.
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